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Serve #7

Rules of Seduction

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A sexy category romance from Entangled's Brazen imprint...

He'll be the dream and the dirty fantasy...

Through with both her controlling ex and relationships, Ava Webber is determined to explore the spicy and sometimes forbidden appetites of the exclusive BDSM nightclub, Serve. Here, she'll get exactly what she needs...as long as it's from a man she doesn't know.

Nolan Hart ensures that Serve's clients get what they want, how they want it. But with one look at the curvy brunette, Nolan knows he's the man to fulfill her desires. As the anonymous lover, he's Ava's dirtiest fantasy. Outside of Serve, he's her charming, smartass friend.

But Nolan wants more. More than Ava is willing to give. And as long as the blindfold stays on, she'll never discover that the two men she's falling for are one and the same...

150 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 9, 2015

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1404 people want to read

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Joya Ryan

30 books780 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
Profile Image for ✦❋Arianna✦❋.
790 reviews2,554 followers
June 11, 2015
3.5 Stars!!

description

Ava Webber is a woman who lost herself in marriage with a man who controlled every aspect of her life. She wants to find out who she is, to discover herself, she doesn’t want to be weak and pathetic. Not anymore. She’s a successful career woman and she’s happy with what she has right now. She’s not looking for a boyfriend or to be in a relationship, but this doesn’t mean she doesn’t have certain needs. She needs to be feel, to be free, to feel alive again, so she figures out Serve, the notorious BDSM Club is the perfect place for her. Perfect to experience freedom and passion without feelings, emotions or commitment. Just sex. Healthy anonymous sex with someone who knows what he’s doing, who knows to give her what she craves.

“I want to be consumed. In any way he wants to take me. Because the minute I step out of the scene, it’s over and back to the real world.”


Nolan Hart ensures that Serve’s clients get what they want, how they want it. He's professional and very cautions with everything. When he finds out that Ava is ready to do anything for the man he will choose for her he's more than surprised. And indeed, Ava wants to try everything. She has only one condition – she wants to be blindfolded or whatever, since she doesn’t want to see the man’s face. Nolan is attracted with this gorgeous woman with green eyes, so he decides that he’s the perfect candidate for the ‘job’.

When ‘Myth’, the mysterious man seems to know her body like no other one night is not enough for Ava. She wants more.

“He’d read her perfectly. Tapped into what she needed. Given. Taken. Demanded and played. All of it more engulfing than she thought possible.
Just like him.”


description

But when she starts to spend some time with Nolan outside Serve she becomes conflicted. She doesn’t want to get to close with Nolan. She can’t get lost in this fantasy she has, but she also can’t deny the truth, that she feels pleasure with ‘Myth’ and she feels happy with Nolan.

What will happen when Ava will realize that Myth and Nolan are the same man? Will she take a chance at happiness?

To be honest I expected some BDSM elements since this is part of a BDSM series. There’s some light bondage, but that’s it. But I was ok with this aspect of the story. It was quite an enjoyable read, light for the most part with two likeable main characters and some sexy dirty talking. The story is sexy, erotic, sensual and overall I liked it.

Ava was for the most part a great character. There were a few times when she was a little annoying, but like I mentioned she was ok. However, I can’t say I connected with her too much. Anyway…Nolan was more likeable to me. He was sexy, confident, but he also was sweet and considerate at times. The sex scenes are sexy, but I would have preferred a little more passion between them. While I enjoyed this read, I would have liked more character development for both main characters and/or some back story for both main characters.

Overall, a good read!
Profile Image for Kim Bailey.
Author 6 books606 followers
November 26, 2015
3.5 Stars

Joya Ryan & Entangled: Brazen books … could there be a sweeter combination? What I love about my Brazen book collection is knowing exactly what I’ll get when I dive between those pages. These books are always spicy, always sweet and always end with the perfect HEA. Rules of Seduction provided exactly that.

“Do I have your permission?”

Who would have guessed how incredibly sexy that sentence could be? Not me. But, Nolan turns it into one of the most seductive moments of the book.
This entire book is full of provocative interludes. I found myself completely consumed by Ava & Nolan’s sexcapades.
There is a ton of angst in this book. Ava is desperate to make a life for herself now that she is finally out from under the control of her ex-husband. Struggling to find her place in the world, to understand her true sense of self … a new relationship is the farthest thing from her mind.
Nolan wrote off relationships a long time ago, but the moment he meets Ava, he is drawn to her. Ava wants anonymous sex. In an attempt to both protect her and to selfishly keep her to himself, Nolan becomes her mystery man (Myth). He didn’t foresee falling in love with her. Or having to fight his alter ego for her affections.
The plot is not overly complex or unpredictable, but the characters play their parts nicely and the ending left me satisfied.
A perfect, steamy summer read!


*ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review*


Profile Image for Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾.
2,314 reviews13.7k followers
July 15, 2015
3.5 Stars

This was what being consumed felt like.


After ending a relationship with a man that took too much of her in his controlling ways, Ava Webber is not looking to go back to being the woman she once was. She has a successful career and she takes care of her own self, thank you very much. She doesn't need a man to validate or take care of her. She may not want a man to consume her life again, but that doesn't mean she doesn't want that in the bedroom...no strings attached. And what better place to get that than in Serve; an exclusive sex club that caters to people with needs just like hers.

Nolan Hart ensures that Serve's clients get what they want, how they want it. He's responsible for matching up subs with a Dom and making fantasies happen. After a disastrous match at his previous club caused a sub to be pushed too far by a Dom that didn't listen to her limits he takes his job very seriously. And when the gorgeous Ava comes in saying that she wants a night of anonymous sex with a man and willing to try 'anything', he knows he's that man for her and no other will do.
In the spirit of understanding each other, let's go through a list."
"List?"
He shrugged. "Yeah, you seem to be open to anything, but I need to be clear on your desires, so we'll start with your pussy."
"Excuse me?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I offend you? Or are you not sitting in the middle of a sex club and claiming to be open to anything?"

But one night proves to be no enough and what starts off as a night of anonymous pleasure soon begins to turn into something more than either one of them every expected.
He was all over her, in her, in every way. She couldn't breathe. Didn't want to.


I've been a huge fan of this series since book 1 and I've loved the different author contributions to it by both Katee Robert and Tessa Bailey. Having loved Joya Ryan's other Brazen series, Chasing Love, I couldn't wait to see what she'll have to bring to the mix.

While I did enjoy this book as a whole, it was also missing that edge that the rest of the books in the series had. The rest of the Serve series really played into that BDSM element. It was always that perfect mix of BDSM and romance without pushing too many boundaries. Rules of Seduction was missing that for me. Aside from the sex taking place inside Serve and involving some light bondage there was none of that here. It could have been a great book as a standalone, but as part of this particular series, it didn't quite fit...at least for me.

I also struggled to form any sort of connection with either one of the characters. Ava, I never could develop a liking to. She was just too cold for my tastes. There was also not enough backstory on the characters for me either and no real physical descriptions. You know the hair and eye colors and you know their individual bad past experience but nothing else.
Nolan knew her and what she wanted better than she did. She was sliding down a slope that wasn't just slippery, it was fucking terrifying, and it led to a cliff. One where she'd fly over and crash into a deep chasm.

I suppose I just needed something a little bit more here.

If you haven't read the rest of this series, you may enjoy this one more than I did. I had high hopes for this book that it unfortunately just didn't live up to. It was an enjoyable read albeit just an OK one. I still love Joya Ryan's writing and look forward to more from her in the future and of course more in this series too.

ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review

For more reviews visit
Profile Image for Allison ❤️Will Never Conquer Her TBR❤️.
1,045 reviews1,535 followers
June 4, 2015
4 Sensual, Sexy Stars!

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Rules of Seduction (Serve #7)
is an erotic love story about fulfilling fantasies amidst anonymity. Ava is a woman scarred by a very controlling ex-husband. He was a man that took every ounce of her sense of self, leaving her with nothing but a shell of her inner person. Two years divorced, she craves the intimacy of sex, the no-holds-barred passion she can only get from a powerful man. Yet, Ava refuses to give away her power, her sense of self. So she decides to join Serve, a high end sex club in NYC. Her one hard limit...anonymity.


Nolan is taken back by the woman who enters his office at Serve, applying for anything the club, or the man he chooses to pair her with, wants to give her. Anything... Surely this is wrong. Anything? All she asks is that she doesn't see the man and is blindfolded. He shall step into the scene. He sets her world on fire. He walks out. She goes on with her life...the life she's finally taken control of and refuses to relinquish to a man.


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What I liked most about Rules of Seduction was it's sensuality. It's held within a BDSM sex club but the sensual nature of their encounters struck me most. It was smoking hot, the mysterious man that caters to Ava's every need, discreetly leaving before the blindfold is removed.





Having not read the other books in the series, I didn't feel lost at all. Sure, there's past characters from other books, but they didn't distract me from this story. I'm a bit curious as to the early development of Nolan's character in the previous books. He's got reasons he wants to be the man to make Ava's sexual dreams come true and the biggest is her safety. Did the events of the one scene in the past that went bad occur in other books? I guess I need to read them and find out! I found Nolan's character endearing and his prowess swoontastically hot! He was so in-tuned with her needs, the reader couldn't help but wish she was in Ava's place!


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Ava, on the other hand, irritated me a bit. I completely understand her issues for why she wants the physical connection without the potential for the same issues to arise again with a controlling man. I get that, but I was a bit put-off by her treatment of Nolan when . My only other issue was the quickness of throwing out the "I love you's." I didn't connect with the couple quite as emotionally as I did sexually and I felt their ability to say how inequivecably in love they were with one another was a bit far-fetched and premature. It's not insta-love per se, but not quite developed enough for my heart to be invested to that depth. I was MORE than happy with the lust side of their relationship and the budding feelings...


Rules of Seduction
was my first read by this author and overall, I really enjoyed it. It's quick. It's ultra steamy and can be read as a standalone. I look forward to more from Joya Ryan in the near future!





Advanced copy received by Entangled Brazen Publishing in exchange for my honest review.


Profile Image for Claire.
2,324 reviews739 followers
June 1, 2015
3 - "You're way too hot not to grope." Stars.

I am a big fan of Joya Ryan, her Chasing Love series (also published through Entangled-Brazen) is one of my absolute favorites, and as such I was interested to see what she would bring to the Serve series.

”I wouldn’t trust anyone else to take care of you.”

Being honest the vacated stilettos that Joya has stepped into (Katee Robert & Tessa Bailey) are some pretty big shoes to fill, but I was wholly expecting her to buckle-up, customize and make them her own. Not forgetting the fact that this is Nolan Hart’s book, the guy I have been itching to find out more about since the beginning, and the expectations were high for me, from the get-go.

”He’s one of the best Serve has to offer.”

As you can guess by my rating, my expectations were unfortunately not met on this occasion. Main reasons being –

• I had absolutely no visualization of either Ava or Nolan, for pretty much all of the book apart from eye color, hair color and the fact Nolan was ripped nothing else was really described.

• I also struggled to feel any emotion between either of them or for them due to the limited exploration of their pasts, hints were given but nothing was really elaborated on in relation to Ava’s commitment issues and Nolan’s over-protectiveness. I think this would have helped me understand Ava and her motivations a little more, because her whole persona just felt really ‘cold’ and unfeeling a lot of the time.

• The only time you really get a glimpse of anything between them is when they are hanging out as friends, and even in these instances Ava seems to be able to switch her persona’s on and off like a kettle.

• Nolan although likeable and full of confidence, again really lacked any ‘substance’ for want of a better word, and bearing in mind he has popped up on quite a few occasions in the previous books I was expecting more for him, and from him.

I don’t know, maybe it’s me having unrealistic expectations on all fronts, but this book in general just felt very lackluster, nothing really stood out, the storyline at best was average and although the sex well written and versatile, certain aspects of it felt like they had been added just to spice things up, rather than because they were needed.

”If I had known you were inviting me to a sex party, I would have bought my assless chaps.”

An easy read, nothing wrong with it per se, but I was expecting more.

Arc generously provided via Entangled, in exchange for the above honest review.
Profile Image for Michelle.
2,103 reviews1,417 followers
May 5, 2015
ARC provided by publisher in exchange of honest review

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Joya Ryan has instantly become one of my favorite and one-click authors. After reading a couple of her books, I was hooked with her writing and storytelling. She has once again was able to create and weave a BDSM story-line with undertones of sensuality, sexiness, seduction, passion, and desire.

#1RulesOfSeduction

In her newest release, Rules of Seduction, Ms. Ryan was able to unite two characters whose path to romance took on a life of its own when they were brought together by an exclusive BDSM nightclub, Serve. After a failed marriage and a controlling husband, Ava Webber wanted to explore her sexual fantasy and push her sexual limits. In this club, she is willing to let go and submit and have all her dirty fantasy come true as long as it's from a man she doesn't know.

Nolan Hart is the manager at Serve and ensures that the clients at Serve are full satisfied with their wants and needs. But when he meets Ava, he was instantly attracted to her and had a desire to serve her needs. He knew he was the only man who can fulfill her sexual desires and push her to her limits. So when Nolan decides to be the anonymous lover, he didn't expect to fall hard for Ava.

When the lines of friendship and anonymous lover begins to get blurred, Nolan and Ava soon find themselves entangled with one another. Nolan begins to question does Ava want the mysterious lover or him? And Ava begins to question who does she wants? When the blindfold is taken off and revealed that the anonymous lover is Nolan, will Ava be able to let go and submit to her feelings?

I loved this quick read from Joya Ryan. Rules of Seduction was a hot, sensual, steamy, and raw passionate read that will have readers enraptured with the relationship of Ava and Nolan. This book was brimming with sensuality and a reminder that it's okay to let go and explore your sexuality. As always, Ms. Ryan never fails to deliver a hot steamy book!! Be prepared to get seduced with Ms. Ryan's writing as you fall in love with Nolan and Ava.

Joya Ryan

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Profile Image for ~Stéphanie~.
623 reviews361 followers
June 8, 2015
description

That was such a pleasant read =)
It's my first "Brazen" story. I've finally read one and I'm sincerely thinking of catching up whenever I have the opportunity.

I know those books are quite a quick read and Rules of Seduction was exactly that. I was expecting a lot of sexy moment, a lot of pleasure and a lot of steam. But truthfully, I even get more.

"Serve was her saving grace. A chance to experience freedom, passion, and never ever have to risk anything more. No feelings. No emotion. No commitment. No kind of relationship at all. Just sex. Healthy, anonymous sex."

I'm gladly surprised to see that even if the story is short, the author manage to tell a story who can be realistic.

Of course, both M.C., Nolan and Ava are falling fast but I guess that comes with this kind of story. And when I know what to expect, I'm not frustrated with the insta-connection.

description

In Rules of Seduction, Ava who is new in town comes to Serve ( a sex club) because she wants to fulfill her fantasies. She got Nolan attention quickly because she doesn't seem to know what her limits are.
Nolan interviews her to know what she needs in term of sec and when this girl claims she is ready for anything, he can't really believe her.

“I want to touch him however he’ll let me, and he can have me however he wants. I don’t know how to be more clear than that. Unless you’d like to run through every single scenario?”

Ava has one hard limit. She wants everything to happen anonymously. She doesn't want to see, just feel

“I want to be consumed. In any way he wants to take me. Because the minute I step out of the scene, it’s over and back to the real world.”

Nolan is not sure which guy could be her match. He feels he can fit the role but he also know if he becomes the anonymous lover, the lines will be blur.

With Rules of Seduction, there's enough background to Ava and Nolan to see beyond their sexual relation. Both of them become friends even if Ava is shy about it. She has her reasons to be cautious. She keep things compartmentalize but she let her guard fall down easily too.

Nolan is fun, very protective. He let himself fall and feel but not really in term of love, not right away which for me help a lot to find this story realistic enough to enjoy it a lot.

description

I spent yesterday afternoon with an entertaining book. I laughed a lot, I was hooked during the whole time. Ava and Nolan are a bsexy things together. What do you need more?

“And what am I supposed to call him?”
“I suspect you’ll likely call him, ‘Oh God,’ or ‘More, God, more.’ Either way, likely the title of ‘God’ will be used.”
She laughed. “This guy is that sure of himself, huh?”
He shrugged.“I’m not a gossip king, but I’ve heard a few things. He’s one of the best Serve has to offer.”


~ARC provided by the publisher for an honest review~

description

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Profile Image for Ⓐlleskelle - That ranting lady ッ.
1,038 reviews957 followers
June 18, 2015
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2.5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Brazens titles are perfect for a quick read, high steam and most of the time the fulfill my needs in term of romance/erotica.
Nevertheless, I must say I’m a little disappointed in my Brazen choice this month… I usually go for them when I don’t know what to read, or when I can’t determine which book I’m in the mood for… (Moody reader, here!)

I heard a lot of great things about Joya Ryan—a new author to me— and thought this quick Brazen would be the perfect opportunity to test her writing and see what she had to offer.
Despite the level of steam this book offered, this wasn’t quite the winner. I can barely give it 2.5 stars and if I had to decipher my rating, let’s say 2 stars go to the narrative style, which I liked A LOT, and the remaining 0.5 star to the general idea. The execution felt rushed and maybe the short format of this Brazen title left too little place for the details and pace I needed to appreciate this book.



At first, I must concede I was sucked right into the story.
We’re meeting this young woman, Ava, at the last step of her registration to join Serve, a notorious sex club. She just left a difficult relationship and is about to do something wild for once.



This sets the story alright, no preamble, our heroine needs sex of a certain nature and is set to get it where she can. Alright, let’s roll!
After proving to Nolan, the security hot member, that she knows what and why she’s in for, they both set up the parameters of her future encounters at the club.
Ava needs to be controlled in the bedroom, but only there, and for this she thinks only having intercourse with a complete anonymous will give her the "freedom" she seeks. *Insert eye-roll*


“I want to be consumed. In any way he wants to take me. because the minute I step out of the scene, it’s over and back to the real world.”


What follows is pretty much predictable, Nolan becomes the anonymous man she needs and at the same time develops a privileged friendship with her "in the real life". The situation grows complicated when feelings are involved and truth are revealed…



The story definitely lacked characterization and depth. Essentially, I could summarize this book by : Girl meets boy, girl fucks boy, girl have second thoughts, happy ending.
I’m sad to report it that way, but I couldn’t let myself care for any of the characters at all. I could barely picture any of them, really.
Those negative points notwithstanding, I can attest the level of hotness the author crafted here. The sex scenes were definitely scorching with a side of dirty, as BDSM elements are light. So, there is that.



Having heard good things about this author, I won’t let this first impression stop me to read her other work, notably the Reign Series

(Arc received in exchange for an honest review.)

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Profile Image for Jennifer.
2,512 reviews86 followers
June 9, 2015
ARC received for review

A very quick read for me. I read it in an hour. It was a sweet love story about two people learning to trust again. I thought with the long interview and the repeated questioning of her, it was going to be down and dirty. Blindfolding, one spank on the arse, and anal sex does not make for BDSM.
Profile Image for Maria Rose.
2,636 reviews267 followers
June 20, 2015
This steamy romance, part of the Serve club series but easily read as a standalone, just about set my ereader on fire! Ava has left a controlling ex-husband and is determined to never be in a situation like that again. In fact, being in a relationship is the last thing on her mind. But she has needs and desires, and what better way to fulfill them then by making an arrangement at Serve for an anonymous man to satisfy her without the strings of a relationship. When Nolan meets Ava at the club and agrees to arrange her requests, he takes it upon himself to be that anonymous man. She’ll never know that it’s him behind her blindfold, he’ll make sure she’s safe and they can both get what they want -steamy sex without commitment. But outside of the club, Nolan becomes a friend to Ava, one she enjoys being with and finds herself attracted to, despite the boundaries she’s set for herself. Set on a collision course, when Ava finds out who her mystery lover is will she take all that Nolan wants to offer her or will his betrayal smack of the control she is desperate to avoid?

With an abundance of sex scenes which are a combination of playful, titillating, erotic and emotional, there is no doubt that this story fits well into the Serve series. We saw a bit of Nolan in Betting on Fate (book 4 of the series) where he was the third in a play scene with Will and Penelope and we know that he has a signature role in the club – he’s an overseer, a participant when it suits him, and the guy who makes sure people are getting what they come in for. However, a past experience with a submissive who got hurt is one that he can’t shake and when Ava comes in with no real idea of what she wants, he is worried that something will happen to her if he isn’t the one taking care of her. I don’t think a better hero could have been written for this story. Nolan is the perfect guy – funny, charming, sexy, dominant, skilled, and with a wicked tongue whether it’s in the bedroom (wink, wink) or out. I really really liked him and felt for his ethical dilemma – befriending Ava and at the same time being her mysterious lover. Because Ava insists on her encounters being anonymous, he tries to rationalize what he’s doing as being entirely for her benefit and peace of mind, even though it starts to slowly tear him apart that he can’t be his true self with her, in and out of the scene. As his feelings for Ava deepen (and truthfully, we’ve got some insta-love happening here on both sides), he hopes she’ll be able to forgive his deception when the time comes and give a relationship with him a chance, even though he knows she’s been very clear that emotional intimacy is a hard limit for her.

I admired Ava too, for not being afraid to go after what she wants sexually, even if she is scared of getting into another relationship. History has taught her to never let a man have control again, at least not in the things that matter. But she finds herself attracted to Nolan on a base level, his humor, acceptance, levelheadedness and care of her working their magic. Comparing him to her mythical man starts to cause them to blur in her mind, as she pictures him while blindfolded, not realizing that she’s found the answer to her mystery. When the inevitable conflict arises, she’s got to make some key decisions that are going to affect both their futures and I really enjoyed how the plot progressed to their happy ending. I appreciated too that there was very little angst in this story – though Ava has had some bad times in her past they are minimally detailed so the overall effect is fairly lighthearted.

A review for this story wouldn’t be complete without a steamy scene to entice you into the club – here’s a look :

“I hope you weren’t expecting a sweet girl.” She lifted to her toes and nipped his chin. He growled low. The finger at her chin tapped as if in warning. She was getting to him, could feel all his sexual predatory instinct build up, and for whatever reason, he wasn’t giving in quite yet. She felt strong, powerful, calling him out and seeing if she could make him snap and give in to what they both wanted.
“Maybe you are just a myth after all,” she whispered. That was all it took. A low rumble broke from his chest and he crashed his lips down on hers. She gasped in surprise but was cut off by his firm tongue plunging inside and drinking down every single ounce of desire she had.

For me, this was a fabulous addition to the Serve series, and I might have fallen a little in love with Nolan myself. I can’t wait to see who will get a story next! All the authors involved have done fantastic jobs to date. 5 stars.

Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.

Note 2: This review is also posted at : http://straightshootinbookreviews.com...

Profile Image for Elle aka Leftie aka Shoebelle.
707 reviews124 followers
June 15, 2015
*Complimentary ARC received from publisher via Netgalley*

So Nolan, who’s made an appearance in previous books, finally gets his story. He met Ava who was recovering from a past and trying to move forward, and felt that being at Serve is a step in the right direction. She has a very specific request and Nolan took it upon himself to fulfill that and along the way, a friendship with potential started developing outside of Serve.

It was a really quick read. There’s an ease to their interaction both in and out of Serve. While I wasn’t fully on board at all times with their connection or their individual struggles, the funny times b/w them made up for it. And there’s the sizzle of course. That, I can’t deny, for sure.
Profile Image for Janey.
1,319 reviews
June 9, 2015
ARC provided by Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review..

3 Little Miss Anything stars.

Ava Webber finds herself awaiting her final membership interview into Serve (New York’s renowned BDSM club). Having escaped a controlling relationship, she wanted this to just be about the carnal side of a relationship. She was flourishing at work, and wanted the same confidence injected into her personal life. This way, she could perfect the balance. In fact, wouldn’t it be better if her interaction was anonymous, then there will be little chance of developing a relationship, surely.

Nolan Hart is the membership matchmaker at Serve, and takes his job very seriously. When he interviews Ava, he is blindsided. He decides that he will be the man for the job. After all, she’ll never know. A blindfold can disguise everything..

I have loved this series so far, which has been greatly enhanced by the mix up of different authors contributions. Joya Ryan is another author I have enjoyed in the past, so was excited to jump into the 7th in this series. The concept of this story was enticing, and Nolan’s story was long overdue.

I enjoyed Joya’s easy storytelling. The story flowed well, and I was able to love Nolan, whilst despising Ava quite easily ;-)

I didn’t, however, enjoy this story as much as the previous ones for 2 main reasons.

Firstly, it was very BDSM lite, which in itself isn’t a problem, but this series has perfected the right balance, and I just felt this one didn’t quite reach the same lofty heights.

Secondly, the character development was fairly superficial. We have an understanding of Ava’s past, and sadly not very much of Nolan’s. So I felt that the lack of broadening that detail hampered my ability to truly connect with this story.
Profile Image for Devika.
292 reviews21 followers
May 5, 2015
ARC provided by publisher in exchange of honest review

Joya never disappoints....
Profile Image for Paloma FC (in my reading era).
338 reviews60 followers
October 21, 2024
2 / 5 ⭐⭐
3 / 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Spicy Chapters: 3, 9, 14

Nolan (MMC) and Ava (FMC)

Third POV narration 😕

I dont want to sound mean, but honestly the plot in this book is so repetitive, and the entire story is basically the same thing over and over again 😵‍💫 : Due to a traumatic divorce with a controlling man, Ava wants anonymous s*x where she can let go, so she goes to Serve. Nolan starts taking her (while she's blindfolded, so anonymously) at the s*x club as "Myth' - his alter ego. As Ava gets to know Nolan better, she starts falling for him, but at the same time keeps going to the club to have sexy sessions with "Myth," eventually wishing what it was him.

Basically, this book could've been much shorter... I want my hours back 🕰️⌛⏰

At the beginning, Nolan seems more of a psychologist than anything else and seems to have magical abilities to read not only her body but also her mind... perhaps he's a psychic 🔮 ? 🙄😩🤦🏼‍♀️

Final thoughts: I don't love it when an FMC doesn't seem to have any friends. It's a pretty clear red flag for me because most people would have a family member or a friend who they are close to. I guess that the author wanted to depict an FMC without a social network of support so that she'd lean on the MMC, but she could've had at least ONE best friend who she speaks on the phone with, for example.

Anyhow, you might want to this one. Or don't, it's up to you 😉.

Happy reading! 📚
Profile Image for Claire Louise¤°.¸¸.•´¯`».
1,107 reviews64 followers
June 20, 2017
Short. Cute. Sweet. Hot. I'm glad Nolan got a deserved story in this great series He was always the second guy who didn't get picked for himself. I would have loved a longer story, more back story but what we got was lovely and very character driven which I adore.

Dirty talker Nolan. Check!
Profile Image for Kim.
2,443 reviews
May 26, 2015
Find this review and more at kimberlyfaye reads .

I discovered Joya Ryan's books a few months ago and have really enjoyed the ones I've read so far. Accepting a review copy of this one was a no-brainer. I was, however, totally taken by surprise because I didn't realize this was a continuation of the Serve series. And, more importantly, that it was about the bouncer Nolan who I've been curious about for so long now! (Yes, I do frequently request/accept books from beloved authors without ever actually reading the synopsis. But it's all good when it leads to pleasant surprises like it did with this book!)

I tackled this book and read it cover to cover one night when I had insomnia as a result of a loud thunderstorm. It was exactly what I needed to distract me. It didn't put me to sleep, but it was worth sacrificing some sleep for this story. I regret nothing.

Rules of Seduction was a fantastic read. I really liked the characters. I mean, Nolan was a given. I've been wanting more of him for months now. Ava was a great heroine. I enjoyed reading about her embracing her fantasies and moving past her mentally abusive ex-husband's manipulations. Nolan and Ava clicked from the very beginning and I couldn't wait to see what would happen as Nolan agreed to set her up with a man willing to help her explore her darker side. When he decides he's the only one who will be fulfilling her desires, I knew I was in for a fantastic ride.

Joya brings the heat and the feels with this book! The anonymity factor between Ava and "Myth" definitely spiced things up. Of course, I knew it was Nolan the whole time, so I enjoyed watching Ava get to know both sides of this man. Whether it was daylight flirting and friendship with Nolan or nighttime escapades with Myth, I loved these characters together. I knew it was likely to get interesting when the truth finally came out, but I hoped they could pull through it.

If you like your romance hot – and with a touch of BDSM – you have to read the Serve series. They're delicious bite-sized books that are guaranteed to raise your temperature and maybe even an eyebrow or two. And, most importantly, the characters are likable and real and even with the BDSM, there's some great romance to be found. Rules of Seduction was a fantastic addition to this series and definitely one of my favorites.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Nicola.
1,390 reviews286 followers
May 25, 2015
Rules of Seduction is the seventh book in the Serve series, although it can easily be read as a standalone as there is little character crossover. I must admit I had high expectations going into this as Joya Ryan's existing Brazen imprint series, Chasing Love, has been excellent.

No feelings. No emotion. No commitment.

When Ava Webber joins Serve, determined to forget her controlling ex-husband, she's grilled as to her preferences by Nolan Hart, the man who ensures a happy clientele. And ensure her happiness he does when she requests the man chosen to pleasure her, remains anonymous.

description

Whilst I did like Ava and Nolan together, it was lacking in basic areas. I struggled to picture our couple as character description was low and the reasons behind Ava being 'broken' - the entire point of her joining Serve - seemed neglected. It also lacked that BDSM feel its predecessors have brought and for me it failed to reflect this aspect; Nolan, as lovely as he was, was more sweetheart than dominant. A blindfold, bound wrists, a bit of spanking and anal play can be found in any sexy read and in this instance actions very much needed to speak louder than words.

Sweet and sexy isn't really what I was expecting from this series, nor particularly what I wanted from a BDSM led romance. Nevertheless Rules of Seduction was an easy, enjoyable and heated read with a couple who had chemistry.

Copy received courtesy of Entangled Publishing for an honest and unbiased opinion.
Profile Image for Sandy S.
8,281 reviews207 followers
June 4, 2015
3.5 stars---

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 9, 2015

He'll be the dream and the dirty fantasy...

Through with both her controlling ex and relationships, Ava Webber is determined to explore the spicy and sometimes forbidden appetites of the exclusive BDSM nightclub, Serve. Here, she'll get exactly what she needs...as long as it's from a man she doesn't know.

Nolan Hart ensures that Serve's clients get what they want, how they want it. But with one look at the curvy brunette, Nolan knows he’s the man to fulfill her desires. As the anonymous lover, he's Ava’s dirtiest fantasy. Outside of Serve, he's her charming, smartass friend.

But Nolan wants more. More than Ava is willing to give. And as long as the blindfold stays on, she'll never discover that the two men she's falling for are one and the same..

~~~~

REVIEW: 3.5 stars----RULES OF SEDUCTION by Joya Ryan is the seventh installment in the adult, contemporary SERVE erotic romance series focusing on the BDSM club Serve. This is SERVE nightclub employee Nolan Hart and marketing agent Ava Webber’s storyline. Each storyline in the Serve series is written by a different author focusing on a new couple. Although the storylines are connected to the BDSM club Serve, the individual stories are not interconnected. Each story is a stand alone.

Told from dual third person perspectives RULES OF SEDUCTION follows Ava Webber as she endeavors to explore the forbidden. Ava’s marriage collapsed; she was trapped in a loveless relationship by a controlling man and in this Ava wants to experience it all, and Serve is willing to offer up anything and everything Ava wants. But Ava has one rule-anonymous sex only-she does not want to know anything about the man who will make all of her wishes come true. What Ava never expected was that the man to whom she bared her soul, is the same man with whom she will fall in love. Anonymous sex is only anonymous if you do not recognize the man of your dreams.

Nolan Hart arranges the scenes at the BDSM club Serve. His attraction to newcomer Ava Webber finds our hero wanting to protect Ava from what it is she thinks she wants. When Ava says she wants anonymous sex, Nolan knows he is the man to give Ava what it is she wants but Nolan never expected to lose his heart.

The character development is limited. There is no explanation about Ava’s past; what left her broken and why she is determined to experience it all. We learn very little about Nolan-the man, the Myth, the vibrating tongue ring !!! He is a bit of an enigma whose specialty is security but the how and why of his past is missing.

RULES OF SEDUCTION is a sweet and spicy read with engaging characters; a fun premise; and a happily ever after. Like all of the previous installments, the BDSM content is light; there are no hard core scenarios or demands. In fact, our heroine states she is open to anything and everything, yet she is unaware of just what it is she is giving permission to do-in this, I felt there was some naivety as it pertained to the overall premise. In my opinion, expectations were not met; the sexual content as it pertained to the BDSM scenes was too tame for the demands of the heroine’s needs.

If you like a little kink with your romance storylines I recommend the SERVE series. The BDSM content is limited; some spanking, blindfolds and a little light bondage but the authors never cross into the dark and dangerous zones.

Copy supplied by the publisher

www.thereadingcafe.com
Profile Image for Lacey (laceybooklovers).
2,144 reviews12k followers
July 20, 2017
description

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

I’ve read and loved two of the three Tessa Bailey books in the Serve series, so I was excited to read more from the series! This is my first Joya Ryan, and I have to say, I quite enjoyed it. Rules of Seduction centers around Nolan, the man who works at Serve, an exclusive BDSM club, who’s in charge of fulfilling clients’ needs. I’m not the biggest fan of BDSM books, but every once in a while I’ll give it a try. These types of books are usually a hit or miss, and while I didn’t LOVE Rules of Seduction, it was a hot, quick read that was easy to enjoy.

Ava Webber came out of her previous, long-term relationship a shell of herself. She lost herself somewhere along that relationship, but now with a successful career, she’s been able to move on. But while she’s moved on, that doesn’t mean she wants to enter into a relationship again any time soon. This is where Serve comes in, a sex club catering to any and all its clients’ needs. When Ava goes to Serve, she wants to forget her life for just a little while – she wants an anonymous man who will consume her with no strings attached. But meeting Nolan Hart has her questioning whether she truly wants a relationship with someone or not.

Nolan has never met anyone quite like Ava – she fascinates him, and the more he gets to know her, the more he wants her. So when Ava details the kind of man she wants, Nolan’s ready to be that man – especially since he’ll be completely anonymous. Nolan doesn’t do relationships either, but being with Ava, both in and out of the club, makes him fall hard and deep for the first time.

“I want to belong to you. If you’ll have me? I want to give myself to you. And I want you to give yourself to me. Because together, we’re more than we could ever be apart.”


Rules of Seduction is so sexy – the anonymous hookups between Ava and Nolan are seriously on fire. I really enjoyed the angst of the story as well, with Nolan deciding whether or not to reveal himself to Ava as her mysterious man. This is a fun, quick read that fans of the series would enjoy. It’s very light on the BDSM. I didn’t connect well with Ava or Nolan, but I was able to overall enjoy their story.

Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.

Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.

Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/1P1S39z

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Profile Image for April Symes.
5,013 reviews445 followers
June 10, 2015
***A gifted copy was provided by the publisher for my honest review****

Here is another great story in the “SERVE” series. This is Ava Webber & Nolan Hart story of how they can to be.
Ava was wanting to get her life together and make sure she does NOT go back to the woman she once was- the woman that needed a man to prop her up, to “validate” her. No sir, she is not going back there. Her ex controlled her life too much and she has too much to lose now in her new life. She does not need a man to prop her up but that doesn’t mean she can’t go find a man to “tie her down” if you know what I mean. Ava is looking for some no strings attached fun in the bedroom and where else can she get that but Serve; the exclusive sex club that is for people like her.

In comes Nolan- he is Serve’s resident matchmaker. He is tasked with matching up subs with a Dom and making dreams come true. Nolan takes his job very seriously due to an incident at his previous club where the Dom hurt a sub when the Dom didn’t listen to the sub’s needs and pushed too hard. Ever since then Nolan has become very cautious yet cold about his job BUT when he meets Ava his heart and gut gets a kick. She tells him what she wants which is “for anything the club has to offer” from a man he can put her with wants to give her. Nolan asks Ava “Anything?” Ava states yes but her only conditions are they she doesn’t see the man and is blindfolded. Which , when Nolan hears this, sets up the scene for some of the hottest scenes yet for the Serve series.
Nolan sets up a series of intimate encounters with himself and Ava for which she thinks are with nameless, faceless men but really its just Ava and Nolan. There is a twist to his disguise and Ava is fooled. She has some of the hottest sex around with Nolan. It is full of passion; sensual, sexual, intense, yet plays to her faceless requirement and that is pretty hot . I understand where Ava comes from asking for this yet my heart hurts for her and I hurt for Nolan because he is falling deeper for Ava and he knows sooner or later she will find out and when she does… In the blindfold, Nolan becomes this character called Myth to Ava and its exciting to read how real he becomes to her and how she is coming to crave him during their encounters and how she seeks him each and every time. Ava fell in love with him and Nolan/Myth with her but like all romance novels, something bad always happens when good things are going right.

When the blindfold is taken off and shown that her secret lover is Nolan, is their love affair over? Will Nolan fight for their love? Will Ava realize their love is worth fighting for? This book is really worth sitting down and getting seduced into reading and finding out the answer.

My rating: 4.6 stars ****
Profile Image for Carra.
1,733 reviews31 followers
June 6, 2015
Though this isn't the first book I've read by Joya Ryan (I loved Chasing Desire), this is the first I've read in the Serve series...so I didn't have any preset expectations. My overall thought? LOVED it! Tremendously hot and sexy with just enough personal issues thrown in to create friction and that bit of drama, Rules of Seduction totally hooked me from the start and I just couldn't put it down.

Ava is starting over, trying to break away from her past. She shows great strength of character, and even though this story is not very long we still get to see her character grow once she goes to Serve and meets Nolan. Her need to keep her sex life separate as a fantasy is understandable given the little we know about her past. Nolan-now he's one you want to steal away and keep for yourself. The consummate alpha male, he has an innate need to protect, and is straightforward, very open, and oh yes...when you look up the definition of "hot and sexy" there's bound to be a picture of him sitting there.

The banter between the two of them, both inside and outside of Serve, is fantastic-made even better by how openly Nolan talks about everything. As for the chemistry between them-both inside the club with Nolan being Ava's anonymous lover ("Myth") and outside as friends-it is off the charts, making for some very powerful scenes (especially the ones inside...holy hot and steamy!). It had me hoping (okay, almost begging) that Ava would be able to reconcile Nolan's two personas and move on from her past with him.



Another guilty pleasure read for me from Joya Ryan...and while I would have liked to see more character development to give both Ava and Nolan some more depth, this is still a 5-star read for me, and is being added to my top recommendations list. Recommended for 18+ due to adult language and some seriously blazing sexual scenes.

*I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for MaggieReadsRom.
956 reviews117 followers
June 9, 2015
4,5 stars

From the moment Nolan appeared in Will's book (Katee Robert's BETTING ON FATE, book 4 in the Serve series) I knew I wanted his story in this series...badly. So badly, I asked Katee Robert about it on Twitter. She assured me he was getting his story but not by her. A new author to the series was going to do it. I was happy about that but also felt a bit of trepidation. Because it was a new-to-me author. So when a copy of this book was up on Netgalley, I went for it. And am I glad I did!

I loved what Ava's request for anonimity did to the sex scenes. It gave them that extra bit of dimension and that bit of oomph that catapulted this book into sexy and hot territory. It also showcased Joya Ryan's writing talent because it made things complicated but that never shone through in the excellent writing.

I couldn't but admire the constant level of intensity the story was kept in. And at the same time Ava's need for anonimity opened the door to Nolan's deception. A door I knew was going to cause conflict once Ava found out he was he anonymous lover. But this too, was solved in a satisfying way due to the author's writing skills. There wasn't anything I didn't like about this book.

I'm in awe at the way the author handled this story. In awe and surprised she didn't take the way you'd expect. I loved how complicated it made the romance and how it added layers to characters who aren't run of the mill to begin with. This was my first encounter with Joya Ryan's writing but it definitely won't be the last!

Favorite Quotes:
For twenty-four hours, he’d thought of all the wicked things he wanted to do to her. Finally having her before him like this, looking perfect and juicy and ripe for plucking, he wanted this second to last a little longer so he could sear her into his memory.

“I’m fine either way, sweetheart. But if you stare too long, I’m going to assume you’re trying to use the Force to remove my pants. Just say the word and I’ll save you the headache.”

He held out his wrist, as though showing her where the cuff was meant to go. “I want to belong to you. If you’ll have me? I want to give myself to you. And I want you to give yourself to me. Because together, we’re more than we could ever be apart.”
Profile Image for Nicole.
1,839 reviews38 followers
June 17, 2015

This isn't an overly long book, but I really enjoyed it. When I signed up to join the tour, I paid absolutely no attention to the fact that this is part of a series, and didn't really put two and two together until I read a sentence that talked about Nolan helping Oliver and Eliza. Imagine my further surprise when I discovered I have 3 other books in this series *face palm*.

Ava and Nolan have intense chemistry from the start, although they both make the decision to just be friends, especially since Ava let it be known that she isn't looking for anything outside of physical release while within the club, and that she wants everything to be done anonymously. Nolan still harbors guilt over an incident that occurred a few years earlier between a sub and a Dom that went terribly wrong, and he hasn't really let himself get to close to anyone since then. Until he meets Ava.

They start out tenatively as friends, although there is a bit of duplicity from Nolan; I know why he did it. Do I agree with it? Yes and no. But if he hadn't followed that plan, the story might not have been as enjoyable to read. The only things that take away from the story (in my opinion) are the background story of the BDSM club incident that occurred earlier (maybe it's mentioned in a previous installment of the series), and more about Ava's past with her ex. We get the bare bones of the story, but nothing more detailed.

Review copy provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange for honest review.
Profile Image for J Kiwibooknerd .
1,814 reviews58 followers
May 29, 2015
Advanced Readers Copy Courtesy of Entangled Publishing....:)
I am a huge fan of the Serve series and our beloved Nolan has been in from the start, so I was super excited that we were finally getting his story.....

So it is rather disappointing that I did not really enjoy it as much as I have the previous books..... The authors writing was great and I love Joya Ryans previous books, so its no reflection on her at all....I just did not connect with the characters AT ALL!!!

I still loved Nolan and I loved his witty sense of humor.....it all boiled down to Ava for me.....I hated her....I thought she was a absolute cold hearted human being.....and I did not like her for Nolan at all!!!!!



Anyway that's my two cents!!!! Over and Out!!!!

Profile Image for S.M. Harshell.
Author 5 books46 followers
June 9, 2015
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**

This is my first read from this author. I was unaware that this is book #7 in the series. I read Rules of Seduction as a stand alone with no issues even with mention to previous characters.

Serve - A BDSM club where all you fantasies can be fulfilled.

"Everyone wants to live in their own personal fantasy."

Ava's past has damaged her. She knows she needs to move on and becoming a member of Serve is taking the first steps in owning her future. She's up for anything. She has rules, structure and organization in her "real" life but she needs to just feel in her "fantasy" life. Her only expectation is that it has to be anonymous. She can't know who is bringing her the pleasure she requires.

Can the fantasy live up to the reality? Can she deal with knowing the truth?

Rules of Seduction is a quick hot read. I enjoyed the characters. The push and pull and the chemistry between them was hot. I can't wait to add the previous six books to my TBR!.

Wicked Reads Review Team
Profile Image for Angie.
1,301 reviews22 followers
June 6, 2015
~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads Review Team~
Holy cow, this book was hot. I loved the chemistry with the blindfold and without. Ava had her reasons for wanting no strings attached, I get that but I am not sure I could have done what she did. Nolan was smoking hot from the get go and I couldn’t wait to see the fireworks. I loved how they had a relationship with and without the blindfold and Ava didn’t know it. Of course she wasn’t thrilled about it, but I liked the premise. This was a one sitting read for me and it made me feel good all over.
Characters: well written and easy to relate to
Sex: oh yeah!
Religious: no
Would I recommend to others: yes
More than one book in the series: yes
Genre: BDSM/Romance
Would I read more by this author: yes
~Wicked Reads Review Team~

Wicked Reads Review Team
Profile Image for Shelby.
584 reviews8 followers
June 4, 2015
*I received a free copy to read & review for Wicked Reads Review Team*

Welcome to Serve, a sex club that caters to whatever fantasy you desire!
Ava Webber has decided to take control back of her life. Newly divorced and looking for some no-strings-attached excitement, Serve is the answer to her prayers.
Her escort, appropriately named Myth - as she doesn't want to know who he is or what he looks like, provides everything she is looking for and then some!

The question is: Can reality ever be as good as a fantasy?
Better yet, can a fantasy really compete with reality?!?
This was a fast paced, sweet, and sexy story.

I read this story as a stand-alone, but plan on reading the first 6 stories!!
Wicked Reads Review Team
Profile Image for Kris.
844 reviews8 followers
June 1, 2015
I received a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads

Rules of Seduction is the 7th book in the Serve series. I had not read the prior 6 but felt Rules was able to stand on it's own without having read the previous installments. I found the book sweet and romantic, light on the BDSM and heavy on the feelings, but not in a bad way. Left me feeling good, happy & content.

Ava didn't trust easily and Nolan was the protective Dom. Ava came to Serve to live in the fantasy, wanting no emotional attachment. Nolan was tired of sex without strings. But, when Ava walked in with no hard limits and wanting anonymity Nolan had to keep her safe! He'd failed keeping someone safe before but wouldn't let it happen again, not with untrusting Ava. Enjoyed the read thoroughly and will go back to read the prior installments for sure!
Profile Image for Rachael Orman.
Author 23 books380 followers
June 1, 2015
4.5 Stars

I expected more intense BDSM than the very light stuff we got in this book, but that's cause it was based in a BDSM club and since I haven't read any of the other books in this series, it may just be how they all are.

I really enjoyed the lighthearted banter between the characters for the most part. At times it felt like we were missing some emotion or feelings or a real connection to the reader, but for the most part I enjoyed the story and how the characters grew to have what they did.

I look forward to reading more from Ms. Ryan and this series as this was VERY hot and sexy while being well written... my favorite kind of book.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Profile Image for Ruthie Taylor.
3,723 reviews40 followers
June 10, 2015
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads

This is one of a series, but can be read as a standalone (as I did, but will be going back and reading the rest soon!).

I really, really enjoyed this story - it is always fun when there is a bit of a twist, when both leads learn something very important about themselves and others. It is short, but ramps up the heat very effectively and sets up the plot very neatly, so that it works. Did I wish it were longer? Sure, I could read that kind of hotness all evening, but it was a fun read, with a good outcome.

Wicked Reads Review Team
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